Lock for mail-bags or the like.



G. SISMONDI. LOOK FOR MAIL 'BAGS OR THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 20, 1908..

, V Patented Feb. 8, 1910.

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IIVVENTOR" W/T/VESSES:

@M U Q' ATEfi FI QIG.

GAMILLO SISMONDI, OF TURIN, ITALY, ASSIGNOR TO SOGIE'IA PER BR-EVETTI POSTAL]: E FER-ROVIARI CON SEDE IN TORINO, OF TURIN, ITALY.

LOCK FOR MAIL-BAGS OR THE LIKE.

To all whom it may concern:

"particularly to mail bags or other sacks containing valuables.

In the drawing,Figure 1 is a plan showing the device fully extended. Fig. 2 is a perspective ,view showing the device partially closed. Figs. 3 and 4 are front and rear views of a lead seal suitable for employment in connection with the invention.

Referring to the drawings, the device is provided with two metallic plates 1 and 2 preferably hinged together as shown. To one of said plates a flexible strap or belt 3 is attached, which belt is designed to pass around the mouth of the sack. One of the plates as 2 is provided with a strong pin 4 which preferably passes through the attached end of the belt and which is adapted to extend through one of a series of holes 5 in the body of the belt. WVhen the plate 1 is closed upon the plate 2 the two ends of the belt are securely fixed. Preferably the plates 1 and 2 are hinged together at 6, pins 7 being provided to prevent separation of the parts at the joint.

One of the plates, as for instance 1, is provided with a post 8 having projections 9 or other suitable devices, such projections being designed to engage latches 11 projecting normally into a hole 10 formed in the plate 2. The latches 11 are normally held in their innermost positions by springs 11, and snap over the projections 9 of the post 8 when the plates are closed, and the post enters the hole 10. My invention provides that by relative movement of the post 8 the latches 11 will be pushed back, so that the post may be withdrawn. To this end the post is mounted to rotate in the plate 1, and is provided, at its outer end with a member 12 by which it may be rotated. Means are also provided for holding the member 12 in a fixed position, so as to prevent its rotation until such time as it is desired to unlock the device. In the construction Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 20, 1908.

Patented Feb. 8, 1910.

Serial No. 433,913.

shown a lead seal 18 is provided for this purpose, the flexible wire or cord 17 of which passes under a hook 14 at one end of the part 12, and then through a slit 13 as best shown in Fig. 2. The ends are then passed down through a hole 16 in the plate 1, and finally out in notches 30, 31 formed in the two plates 1 and 2 respectively, whereupon the lead seal being located between the plates is compressed as near as possible to the plate 1. This sealing may be done prior to the folding together of the plates, or it may be done after the plates are connected by the post 8. I11 any event it is impossible to separate the plates without destroying the seal or cutting the cord.

The plate 2 is preferably provided with a longitudinal slit 19 adapted to receive a link or buckle 20 carrying the plate or other member 21 for the address. The folding together of the plates 1 and 2 prevents the plate 21 from being lost.

In practice the device operates as follows :Lead seals such as 18 are manufactured in advance and are provided with a flexible member or cord 17 of a length just suflicient to permit the cord to pass over the book 14 after it has been threaded up through the opening 16 into the slot or slit 13. When the two plates are then brought together to lock the device, the surplus cord lies in the notches 30, 31 between the two plates. The. seal is thus prevented from moving inwardly, and there is not sufiicient length of cord to permit the latter to be released either from the slot 13 or the hook 14. Consequently the member 12 cannot be turned until the cord is broken; thus the device is securely locked until the seal is clestroyed.

While I have shown in detail one form of the invention, I do not wish to be limited thereto since various changes may be made therein without departing from the invention.

WVhat I claim is:

1. A locking device comprising two parts adapted to be connected at one end, and having means for engaging a strap or the like,

one of said parts having a catch device the position in which it is engaged by said latch to a position in which it is released therefrom.

2. A locking device comprising two parts adapted to be connected at one end, and having means for engaging a strap or the like, one of said parts having a turnable catch device, and the other of said parts having a latch device adapted to engage said catch, the first named part being adapted to be turned from the position in which it is engaged by said latch to a position in which it is released therefrom, and means for normally preventing the turning of said catch device.

3. A locking device comprising two parts adapted to be connected at one end, and hav ing means for engaging a strap or the like, one of said parts having a catch device adapted to be turned to two different positions, and the other of said parts having a latch device adapted to engage said catch in one position and to release it in another position, and means for normally preventing the turning of said catch device, said means comprising a flexible member and a metal seal.

4. A locking device comprising two parts adapted to engage two ends of a strap, said parts being adapted to be folded together, a catch device adapted to be turned to release said catch device, and means including a metal seal for sealing said catch device in its operative position so that when the parts are closed and sealed they cannot be released except by breaking said seal.

I I I 5. A locking device comprising two parts adapted to engage two ends of a strap, said parts being adapted to be folded together, a catch device adapted to be turned to release said catch device, means including a metal seal for sealing said catch device in its operative position prior to the engagement of its parts, and means for preventing the unsealing of said latch device after the engagement of its parts.

6. A locking device comprising two parts adapted to engage two ends of a strap or the like, one of said parts having a post and the other a means for engaging said post, in combination with a lead seal having a loopshaped flexible member, means connected with said post adapted to engage said loopshaped member, and means for holding said seal in position to effectively shorten said loop-shaped member when the device is closed, so that said post cannot be turned to release the firstnamed parts without breaking said seal.

7. A locking device comprising two parts having means for engaging tWo ends of a strap, and a slot for engaging a tag or the like, and means for locking said parts in closed position to prevent the escape of said strap and said tag.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CAMILLO SISMONDI. Vitnesses LOUIS ALLAN, FELIX BAZETTA. 

